Our trip
through to Nowra this morning was uneventful and we found our way through to
the Information Centre to collect our permit to stay here at the showgrounds
without fuss. We had been looking out for Chapman Caravans on our way through
however I had incorrectly keyed in “Nowra” to the TomTom rather than “South
Nowra”. The helpful woman at the Centre soon put us straight and we headed the
five kilometres back down the Princes Highway.
Alas,
the chap at Chapmans was most unhelpful. Chris has been concerned about the
tyres on one side of the caravan wearing unevenly, and when we had them swapped
around at Cooma, the tyre man there had explained that there was most likely
something wrong with the axle. He was unfortunately not equipped to check it
out but suggested we have it checked when we reached a more significant centre.
Today’s man went on about tyre pressures being very wrong, and yet Chris has
been following directions from tyre people. We did not expect Chapmans
themselves to be able to fix the problem, however we did expect them to be
familiar with the problem and able to refer us to the right kind of engineer.
Chris was not very happy. We had specifically called at Chapmans because they
are the Lotus dealers in this part of the world.
We
called around to the local branch of BCF and had one of our gas bottles refilled.
Here we received the usual excellent prompt, friendly and value for money
service. It should be noted here that I am not being paid by BCF or any
associated company to promote them.
While
Chris was attending to matters at BCF, I
was approached by a couple in their mid seventies who had very recently purchased
a brand new Lotus and were eager to hear about our experience. I was happy to
oblige, however omitted recounting our very recent experience with Chapmans who
had always given excellent service to these folk as they had traded their various
caravans and motorhomes down through the years. Chris soon joined the
conversation and we discussed various matters including some excellent tips
about travel through the Kimberleys.
We
parked up beside the Shoalhaven River on the southern bank and ate our lunch
looking out through a screen of jacaradas, gloriously cloaked in their seasonal
purple, at the houseboats and other river craft. Soon we headed up to these
showgrounds and hunted around to find a level spot within reach of a power box
and water tap. Power boxes are plentiful, water points not so. We set up not too
far from another caravan whose occupants probaby said to each other,”With all
this space here, why on earth did they have to camp so close to us!” Sound
familiar?
From the
rise here we can look out over the river and up toward the densely wooded mountains
to the north. There are only half a dozen camping parties in tonight, however
the showgrounds double as a popular recreational spot for all sorts, a lunch
spot for those wishing to simply sit in their cars and lax out from their work,
a dog walkers paradise and a park up spot for those with nothing better to do.
Because of this, the security is not as it might be however the gates are
locked on dark and security guards apparently lurk through the night.
We went
for a wander about the grounds and out to the Hanging Rock Lookout here which
also draws the non-campers . The rock formations along the river edge are quite
spectacular and we will probably take advantage of Ben’s Walk that starts from
here as well, sometime over the next couple of days.
Oh and
while I think of it, we did touch base with our young Jackson last night; he
proudly showed off his gifts which of course included toy cars and was grateful
for his monetary gift from us. He tells us that we will think long and
carefully before spending it.
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